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Public Astronomy Observations

The SIU Carbondale Physics Department hosts several free public observations a year on our observation deck on top of the Neckers building as well as the observation area at the SIU Farms Dark Site. Most observations are on evenings when light pollution on campus is at a minimum. We typically observe bright sky objects such as the Moon, major planets, star clusters, nebula and some deep sky objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy. All observations are weather dependent and space limited. The Neckers observation deck is not handicap accessible, however we can arrange for telescopes to be setup at ground level for individuals not able to take stairs to the obsevation deck. If you have a large group or other special needs, please contact the event coordinator to let them know in advance. Children accompanied by adults are welcome. For up to the minute event info and online disucssion, see the physics department FaceBook event info page:

Observation Schedule Winter 2017 - Spring 2018

Sunday, January 21 6:30pm to 8pm @ Neckers

Free public astronomy observation hosted by the SIU Carbondale Physics Department at the Neckers observation deck. Telescopes are provided. Visible this evening: The Moon, Andromeda, Orion Nebula. The observation will include a presentation on the night sky. Children accompanied by adults are welcome.

Sunday, February 18, 7:30pm to 9pm @ SIU Farms Dark Site.

Free public astronomy observation hosted by the SIU Carbondale Physics Department at the SIU Farms Dark Site. The site is located at: Autumn Point Rd, Carbondale, IL 6290137.710270, -89.254787 Enter the site from the Chautauqua road entrance.

Site has 10 concrete telescope pads, an open observation area, and parking. No bathrooms or additional facilities are on this site. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. A few public telescopes will be available. Amatuers are encouraged to bring their own scopes and setup, no more than 1/2 hour early at the site. Several deep sky objects (clusters, nebula, galaxies) will be visible this evening.

Sunday, March 4, 7:30pm - 9pm @ Neckers

Free public astronomy observation hosted by the SIU Carbondale Physics Department at the Neckers observation deck. Telescopes are provided. Visible this evening: Several deep sky objects (clusters, nebula, galaxies) The observation will include a presentation on the night sky. Children accompanied by adults are welcome.

Sunday, April 22, 8pm to 9:30pm @ Neckers

Free public astronomy observation hosted by the SIU Carbondale Physics Department at the Neckers observation deck. Telescopes are provided. Visible this evening: The Moon, Venus (sets at 8:15pm), Jupiter. The observation will include a presentation on the night sky. Children accompanied by adults are welcome.

Sunday, May 6, 8:30pm to 10pm @ Neckers

Free public astronomy observation hosted by the SIU Carbondale Physics Department at the Neckers observation deck. Telescopes are provided. Visible this evening: Venus (sets at 8:45pm), Jupiter. The observation will include a presentation on the night sky. Children accompanied by adults are welcome

Additional dates TBA

Alternate / Special Observations

Campus and community groups can arrange special observation on campus, or we can bring telescopes to you. To make arrangements, contact Bob Baer at 618-453-2729, rbaer@physics.siu.edu.

Observation Deck and Telescopes

The observation deck is 624 square feet in size. It is built out of 2" thick rubber matting for vibration isolation. The primary telescope is a 14" Meade LX600. This computer guided telescope is used for all observation events as well as the lab portion of PHYS 103 (Astronomy). Several additional scopes are setup for observations as needed including Celestron 8" SCTs, a Coronado SolarMax II, and a Stelarvue SV105 Raptor (105mm refractor).

What Can You See?

The most spectacular viewing is of the Moon and major planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mars. On clear nights, you can easily see the rings of Saturn and detailed striations on Jupiter. Brighter objects such as the Great Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy and several clusters are also visible visually.

Dimmer deep sky objects are typically only visible during evenings with low humidity and not much cloud cover. On select night, deep sky cameras are utilized to display images of objects otherwise not visible though visual observations.

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Located on the South West (A-Wing) roof of the Neckers building at 1245 Lincoln Drive. Closest parking in the lot between Neckers and the Public Policy Institute. Enter the building through the west doors facing the parking lot. Take the stairs up to the fourth floor. Meet outside Neckers 456 or follow the signs from there up the South West stairwell.

SIU Farms Dark Site location: Located on Autumn Point Road, Carbondale, IL 62901. GPS Coordinates. 37.70999, -89.254777. Enter the site from the Chautauqua road, Site has 10 concrete telescope pads, an open observation area, and parking. No bathrooms or additional facilities are on this site entrance.